Banning the Kotel

As we in Israel gear up to celebrate our 62nd year of Independence, the last 43 of which have been led from an undivided capital city, the British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) seems intent to burst our balloons and take down our strings of flags.

In response to a complaint about an Israeli Government Tourist Office-issued UK advertisement depicting the Western Wall (with bits of the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock in the background), the ASA has ruled that the ad is in breach of their clause 7.1, “Truthfulness,” since the locations pictured are not in Israel, but instead are located in East Jerusalem, which the ASA considers part of “the occupied territories of the West Bank.”

It is rare to encounter such an obvious example of misplaced intentions. Usually such anti-Israeli drivel gets the benefit of a slightly thicker veil. Set aside the obvious fact that travelers to Israel can, in reality, expect to visit the Western Wall and all of Jerusalem – both east and west (this was one of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism’s responses to the ruling). And set aside that the ASA, in turning a perfectly innocent advertisement into a political podium, has discredited its legitimacy as the UK's independent regulator of advertising and revealed its ulterior entity as a political unit. The argument on which their ruling is built is far from sound.

Jerusalem in its entirety has, since Israel liberated it in 1967, been the undivided capital of the Israeli sovereign state. Not to mention that the Western Wall, the remains of the Second Temple, at the center of the “problematic” image, is a site that has connected Jews to Jerusalem for the last 2,500+ years before that. It is the icon of Israel.

The ASA’s choice to politicize the ad’s image of Jerusalem – and to ban from the UK all future Israel tourism ads with similar images – raises another interesting question. Has the ASA opened similar cases against the UK’s World Travel Guide for including Jerusalem’s Old City and the Temple Mount in their Palestinian National Authority Sightseeing guide? What about the two largest Palestinian tourist websites, the Official Website for Tourism in Palestine and Visit Palestine, which both advertise Jerusalem on their front pages?

Unfortunately, we have come to expect this not-so-thinly-guised anti-Israel stuff from the UK, which over the last six years has given us academic boycotts and arrest warrants against Israeli officials including former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter. But, if what the ASA website says is true, that their authority is recognized by the Government, the courts, and other regulators such as the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Office of Communications (Ofcom), then we can’t let this incident go uncontested.

Hopefully British common sense, justice, and truth will triumph over special interest complaints like the one filed by the single complainant to the ASA. But it’s up to us to do our part to make that happen.

Visitor Comments: 45

(45)
Lyzzh,
November 29, 2010 10:24 AM

How about No

I am not Jewish nor an Israelite. I say NO!. This wall is part of Jerusalem as East Jerusalem is. Hashem in His word said he would put His name in Jerusalem. Jerusalem belongs to Israel, not anyone else. I feel compassion for all involved, I do not want to see anyone suffer, but the Palestinans need to understand once and for all that area does not belong to them. If there is a way that people can live in peace and harmony helping one another Great! I am all for this but. Israel belongs to the Jewish people. His Word is clear about His anger being stirred at anyone dividing His land. This is the one thing I wish my country USA would stay out of it. People need food, meds and help we should be there. But for us to say give them this land or that, NO! Jerusalem is not to be an international city. I am a born again christain. Yhsua is who He says he is. But as I christain I am neither entitled to, or deserving of imposing our will over Israel. I think people need to adopt this thinking. When I hear these things it makes me crazy. I did a study of Mt Moriah in the Bible. Abraham sacrifced there, David bought it! Solomon dedicated there. Ha Shem has His name there! NO WAY, NO WAY NO WAY.

(44)
samir S. Halabi,
September 2, 2010 6:10 PM

The Kottel will remain in israel's hands for eternity

I the international community so stupid as to believe that Israel would ever surrender east jerusalem including the Kottel (Al-Buraq. The last remaining wall of the 2nd temple) to the Palestinians to be their future capital of palestine. Jerusalem was never the capital of palestine. The Romans in order to humble the jews even more changed the name of jerusalem to Aero-Capitolina, Judea and israel was renamed as palesrina, after Philistia the philistines whom were conquered by the hebrews in biblical times, they were a greeco-island people who originated possibly from crete and lived on the coast as they were a seafaring people.

(43)
Anonymous,
August 30, 2010 10:33 PM

Keep in mind that Britain did in 1290, drive out of the country Jewish people. Bigotry once again rears its ugly head. It has always been there and it has just surfaced again. Further, Jerusalem is and will always be a huge part of Israel. If it were not, why is there a kotel that used to be Beis ha Mikdash? Ignorance is bliss and Britain is blissful again. I choose to not forget about these kinds of things and pray for a united Israel and the return of all Jews to Israel.

(42)
Robert,
April 23, 2010 4:56 AM

What would Sir Winston say

Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no thoughtful
man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the
most formidable and the most remarkable race which has
appeared in the world." -- Winston Churchill

(41)
SusanE,
April 22, 2010 4:39 PM

The Iceland Volcano?

How did some Advertising banned in England become responsible for the Iceland volcano? OMG people, there are volcanos erupting all the time, and there are earthquakes shaking the world since time began. Mt. St. Helens was a killer too. Surely Iceland and England each have 10 good men. ---------- Matityahu #26 makes good points in his comment, and I think though that the western wall is also for Gentiles as was part of the great temple area designated for Gentiles. Truthfulness in advertising could be unerstood in this way too....The Vatican and St. Peters is another huge tourist attraction within Italy but separate from Italy, and is beautifully pictured in thousands of tourist advertisements, but never pictured with a synagogue in the background.

(40)
A. M. Black,
April 22, 2010 4:25 PM

Had I bewen born in England I would now regret it-how on earth can such a coutry have the unmitigated gall to castigate Israel in such a way. Didn't it do enough harm to Israel during the earlier days of Statehood and before? When will it learn its lesson not to mess with Israel, G-d has His own way of dealing with such maggots! See what is being done now with the volcanic eruption!

(39)
Anonymous,
April 21, 2010 8:30 PM

I cannot believe this advertisement, yet I am not surprised. Why is it that some people just can't recognize and respect Israel for everything the state deserves to be recognized for
instead of all the negative stuff?

(38)
Anonymous,
April 21, 2010 5:40 PM

Next you will ban flights to Israel

Will you ban flights to Israel? dont bother. No one is leaving your country or coming in. God took care of that. Dont mess with Jerusalem.

(37)
Benny Berger,
April 21, 2010 4:14 PM

Discrimination against Jews by the UK ASA.

What other religion is not allowed to use in advertisements in the UK except the Jewish Religion? This is therefore actually a discriminatory attack on Judaism itself. I dare the ASA to show otherwise. Shame on them. My father risked his life in the RAF bomber command in WWII. I am beginning to wonder why?

(36)
Anonymous,
April 21, 2010 1:10 PM

British what?

"Hopefully British common sense, justice, and truth.... "Since when has the UK had justice and truth.British history is rife with anti-samitism and Jewish perscution.

(35)
Sammy (again!),
April 20, 2010 9:09 PM

The Kotel and Icelandic volcano ash

Get ready everyone; Any time soon our enemies will blame Israel, Mossad and the Jews for the Icelandic volcano eruption as revenge for Britain's ASA idiotic ruling, just as they did for 9/11. After all, isn't the Icelandic president's wife Israeli? Mossad agents are everywhere!!

(34)
JewishFeminist,
April 20, 2010 7:43 PM

This is an Outrage

Who gives them the right to tell us what is part of Israel and what isn't. Fine if we want to play by their rules, our part of Jerusalem ends where Jerusalem touches the boarder of the next nation. I highly doubt the ASA is smart enough to know that Israel controls Israel and the West bank like it or not.

(33)
Christienne,
April 20, 2010 2:04 PM

Happy 62th Birthday Israel!!!

Jerusalem will always be the undivided CAPITAL of ISRAEL as it is Hashem's Holy City and His Country, as for the Jewish People they are His People. The whole world seems to forget these facts but His Hand will ALWAYS protect them. This annoise without any doubt the world, like it annoied Hitler, but eventhough the Shoa brought great suffering, the Jewish People have survived and they always will. Israel will live forever as this is God's will and NOBODY can change that. Happy Birthday Israel and may you always be blessed!!!

(32)
Yamit,
April 20, 2010 1:57 PM

not justified

This act of the ASA is totally ridiculous!! It is however clear where this view comes from seen that Britain is infestated by Muslims. One day they will repent for letting them in but then it will be too late.
Why doesn't England get out of Ireland first before judging Israel on such an irrelevant fact? Wherever the English have been they have created a mess.

(31)
RIMMA,
April 20, 2010 5:11 AM

shame on them. i would say to ASA look in the mirror after all you done to ingenius people taken their languige away pushing them out off their land trying to totaly asimilate them how dare you are? nobody where throing rackets at you or comited suisides trying to kill your children. shame on you

(30)
Ignacio,
April 20, 2010 1:39 AM

What about Falklands?

I´d like to know if ASA bannes pictures of the Falkland Isles that argentinian call Islas Malvinas, or Gibraltar. But really, what cen we expect of british?

(29)
Chava Willig Levy,
April 20, 2010 1:24 AM

Things are getting curiouser and curiouser over British skies

The New York Times just published a report (Monday, April 19, 9:15 PM EST) with the headline, "New Ash Cloud Appears Headed Toward Britain":
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/world/europe/20cloud.html

(28)
Chava Willig Levy,
April 20, 2010 1:14 AM

For those who believe God orchestrates world events...

Irwin (#22) and all, take a look at this:
http://lazerbrody.typepad.com/lazer_beams/2010/04/the-long-arm-of-hashems-justice.html
And happy birthday, Israel!!!

(27)
yehudit,
April 19, 2010 10:52 PM

the green line NEVER was a border

Uh,, Steve, Those 1948 borders you mention? They weren't borders, not according to the Arabs.
In 1948, the Arab leaders were very explicit that the lines separating Israel from its Arab neighbors were just lines on a map--Armistice Lines--and NOT permanent borders. They only started referring to the Armistice Lines as borders after 1967. The green line only became a border after it no longer separated the Israelis and the Arabs.

(26)
Matityahu,
April 19, 2010 6:22 PM

UK ruling is H"'a will

When Jews stop thinking that the holiest place on earth is a tourist attraction, the Mashiach will come. No church would allow 30 Jews to enter their sanctuary with cameras on Easter or Xmas and take pictures while bumping into worshippers and knocking (what they think are) holy things to the ground (equivalent in their minds to tallit and siddur). When will Jews realize that the kotel is not for tourists? The world of goyim understand that it is the holiest, why not the Jew?

(25)
Desmond,
April 19, 2010 5:57 PM

And that cloud over Britain?

Starting with Britain, then the rest of Europe, covered with a cloud of ash, like in Pharonic times! 6 million people cannot travel? Neither could 6 million Jews except to Auscwitz, Birkenau et al. And this happened in Holocaust Memorial week!
Makes you think! "...And he who curses you, I will curse".
British people need to think seriously who they elect next month.

(24)
Anonymous,
April 19, 2010 4:09 PM

Our undivided capital!

Jerusalem is Israel's undivided capital! Get used to it UK!!
Soulful music video to celebrate Jerusalem's unity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1u4Td1rI4s

Why get upset about this....? Who would want the infestation of such low quality rubbish tourists from Britain one encounters in parts of the world from Spain to Thailand? The type of tourists who respect and enjoy Israel are welcome without adsverts showing the Western Wall, etc....!

(22)
irwin hollander,
April 19, 2010 2:39 PM

divine punishment?

Isn't it interesting that right after the ASA's ruling, where they were clearly hoping to damage tourism to Israel by limiting Israeli ads, tourism to the UK is eliminated by a volcano?

(21)
Avraham Black,
April 19, 2010 2:01 PM

Let's complain to the ASA COUNCIL

We Jews ought to send letters to the ASA Council telling them that they have a "CHUTZPAH" playing around with such advertisements which tell the BIG LIE about our precious land

(20)
TMay,
April 19, 2010 1:54 PM

petty tyranny

Once again we see the petty tyranny of the petty bureaucrat, and yet President Obama wants to turn over the monopoly of decisions about our lives and deaths to people like this.

(19)
Marsha, writing from Petach Tikva,
April 19, 2010 12:54 PM

Yo Steve... #17

You call yourself Jewish? And you don't recognize the sovereignty of Israel over Jerusalem? Pretty chutzpadik coming from someone whose country loves ruling over other countries.

(18)
TMay,
April 19, 2010 3:22 AM

Happy Birthday Israel!

Happy Independence Day Israel!
Look who is getting on their high horse and judging Israel! The British who promised the same land to 2 peoples in writing and figured whoever won they would be able to point to a piece of paper!
Britain cannot define the Jews' relationship to the Western Wall.
I wrote as requested in the article.
The Far Left is so petty. First President Obama had his narcissistic snit fit over over apartments in a Jewish neighborhood, and now this from the British.

(17)
Steven Schrier,
April 18, 2010 11:24 PM

I Beg To Disagree

I am an English Jew who supports Israel in almost everything it does, but I am aware that Israel has never obtained international recognition that any of the land it won in the 1967 war has in fact become part of the Israel that's borders were determined and acknowledged in 1947/8. Thus, the ASA is correct, even if it is an uncomfortable truth. I do not believe that this is a campaign against Israel. SImply the British obsession with complying with rules.

(16)
K. H. Ryesky,
April 18, 2010 10:02 PM

Are the British Tourist Authority's advertisements truthful?

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) places lots of pictorial advertisements to promote tourism in the United Kingdom. What about the ones promoting tourism to Ulster (which, many would argue, is not really the UK but is rightfully part of Ireland)? Ditto for Scotland, Wales and Cornwall, each of which has nationalistic aspirations to be free from under Westminster's jackboot. And there are tourism ads for Gibraltar, which really is part of Spain.
Shouldn't the British be held to the very standard they espouse?

(15)
Harvey Sinclair,
April 18, 2010 8:32 PM

That is what they do, it's their job.

These blood-libellous lies and deception, have been around for millenia, get used to it! Both Muslim and Christian sources have practised this art for centuries, and are good at it. Clever ones amongst us in the UK, must use the politically correct perverse laws against perpetrators to protect us from this kind of abuse. I personally am sick of grovelling to everybody to try to sway their opinions of us. I know we do nothing wrong, and just write them off as sickos, and feel no need to proclaim our innocence over lies.
And to Number 12, whilst I tune in to your your sentiment about ashes, there are many of us still living here!!

(14)
Dimitar Kosev,
April 18, 2010 6:04 PM

no problem

Let them talk...they hurt nobody.
Everybody who can see - sees!

(13)
Michael Aaron,
April 18, 2010 5:16 PM

Kotel for the right reasons!

I understand the sense of outrage at the idea that the Kotel should not be displayed in tourist ads. I know that it is the center of Israel. I mean that in my heart and practice - I really know. However, I ask myself, Is the Kotel a tourist attraction or the last connection to the Temple Mount in the minds of my fellow Jews? If it is a tourist attraction then who cares? If, as I believe, it is the Center of Judaism then everyone who is Observant should care and make it known that they do care. The problem is that according to the Israeli Government's own statistics most Israelis are not observant and many, far too many, are atheists. So, it comes as no big surprise to me that if most Israelis consider this Holy place as nothing more than a military conquest then why should the rest of the world care about its spiritual significance. My argument is that if we want others to take the Holy Places seriously then we too must take them seriously as Holy places. We,also, must have access to the Temple Mount. We, also, must face the Temple Mount when we pray, that is if we bother to pray at all. Do we really think that the Almighty, blessed is He, is going to help us regain a mere tourist attraction?

(12)
Anonymous,
April 18, 2010 5:07 PM

Psalms 94:1-2 אֵל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִיעַ

I hope they are enjoying the cloud of ashes

(11)
The ASA does not represent Britain,
April 18, 2010 4:53 PM

There is an easy solution to this: Annex East Jerusalem

(10)
Anonymous,
April 18, 2010 4:25 PM

Much to do

Isn't this all much to do about nothing? Certainly, it seems silly for the advertising watchdog to take such a stance but
If you become too petulant about it you might discourage visitors to it.
The Western Wall is not the most important site for the British or, indeed, Americans to visit.
There are so many places that are worth visiting in Israel.
Most people from outside Israel will visit the Wall out of curiosity not as a religious symbol.

(9)
,
April 18, 2010 4:09 PM

to ruth

1. The Haiti earthquake was suffering, the tsunami was suffering, the air chaos is primarily inconvenience.
2. How can you presume to know what Hashem would do just because something is not logical to you? Since when has a human being been able to fathom Hashem's ways?
3. Everything can be explained away if one is so inclined, but anyone but the most hardened skeptic would have to admit that the timing and the matching of the two events displays a certain poetic justice.

(8)
CDG, Yerushalayim,
April 18, 2010 4:06 PM

Who suffers most from the volcano?

Iceland, though the source of the spewing fire clouds, is cetainly not the one suffering the most. Europe (at this point, Eurabia) is. Someone I know commented that perhaps HaShem is protecting all of us from further Muslim attacks originating in Europe. Otherwise, the prophet Joel describes pretty well what is going on there in his 2nd chapter..

(7)
mitzimi @ jerusalem-insiders-guide.com,
April 18, 2010 3:05 PM

For Shame

There's no depth to which our enemies will not stoop - no matter how outrageous or foolish it makes them seem - in their fight against us. I don't expect "British common sense, justice and truth" to win over the ASA, because the ASA is interested in none of the above.
There is no doubt in international law, or in light of archaeological evidence, or, most of all, in light of the Torah, that Jerusalem belongs to us. Hashem, not the ASA, decides what happens to Jerusalem. May He bless us with peace and protect us from our enemies.

(6)
Anonymous,
April 18, 2010 2:40 PM

#3 thanks for that 'mida keneged mida' thought.

Now if that volcano would continue to erupt non stop untill the ASA tour guide is retracted then I might link the issues. For me british common sense died with the white paper restricting jews from a place to save their souls.

(5)
Anonymous,
April 18, 2010 2:20 PM

Was the volcano the Hand of GD or just the finger?

When will they learn??

(4)
ruth,
April 18, 2010 1:28 PM

a truth for a truth

I was reminded of this song by Jakob Dylan, Bob Dylan's son.
It seems like a "transparent" piece of what is ridiculous in this world, and seemingly truly misplaced, to claim that pictures of the Kotel in advertising Israel and Jerusalem itself are somehow "false advertising".
Don't we have enough true issues in this world to confront without having to face something truly that should not be at issue, and given this article, with its cogent prose, I could not be swayed in the "other" direction.
I don't think, however, that Ha Shem would inflict on Iceland, also a place with people, with humanity, and the world, a volcano because of this particular issue. That's not logical to me, and also a rather cruel statement. Yes, we call them Acts of God, but no, to impute this as a reason others might suffer is not a place I can travel.

(3)
Anonymous,
April 18, 2010 12:25 PM

Iceland Volcano

Notice how shortly after The ASA announcement the volcano erupted inVocano resulting in European airports closing down. (HaShem) as if to say "You want to disrupt travel to My Holy Land ...I will disrupt your travel in return.

(2)
Tuvya,
April 18, 2010 11:29 AM

other occupied territories

Why are no similar complaints being filed about British settlements in occupied Irish territory, or Polish settlements in Upper Silesia (captured from Germany in 1945)?

(1)
Alan S.,
April 18, 2010 9:36 AM

I propose a simplistic solution: boycott the UK! Let the power of a boycott against the UK for this and other similar issues speak to the "political power of money".

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
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